Located on the E coast of South Africa, Durban is the largest city of the Kwa-Zulu Natal province and 3rd largest city of South Africa. A coastal port with wide golden beaches, Durban is a tourist hotspot and gateway to the dozens of seaside resort towns of the coast to the N and S of the city.


Durban is a lively (and slightly tacky) prepackaged seaside destination. The beachfront features a variety of high-rise hotels and snack bars stretching a distance of four miles (6km) and is fronted by promenades and entertainment facilities with many things to see and do, such as a skatepark, flea markets and colourful traditionally clad Zulu rickshaw pullers. Whilst this is the city's trademark, the city centre featuring some grandiose colonial buildings and fascinating Art Deco architecture, is also a feature of the city.


While the beachfront is still a favourite spot, many visitors, wary of the city’s increasing reputation for crime, base themselves in the suburbs, which are chock-a-block with accommodation, shopping malls, funky bars and stylish eateries.

Durban is the gateway not only to the coastal beach resorts of the province, but also to the rolling hills and plains of the Natal Midlands and their backdrop, the majestic, jagged peaks of the Drakensberg Mountains, which border the province in the west.

Durban is located on the E coast of South Africa, in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. It is 1,050 mls NE of Cape Town; 575 mls NE of Port Elizabeth; 370 mls SE of Johannesburg and its international airport. 12 mls N of Durban International Airport. It is positioned on fairly flat land facing E onto the Indian Ocean and S onto the Bay of Natal, one of the world's largest natural harbours.